Apparatus for twisting and plying strands



Nov. 22, 1966 A. w. VIBBER APPARATUS FOR TWISTING AND FLYING STRANDS .3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 22, 1964 INVENTOR. WA) 17% Nov. 22, 1966 A. w.VIBBER APPARATUS FOR TWISTING AND FLYING STRANDS Fi led June 22, 1964 5Sheets-Sheet z INVENTOR.

Nov. 22, 1966 A. w. VIBBER 3,286,450

APPARATUS FOR TWISTING AND FLYING STRANDS 7 Filed June 22, 1964 3Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,286,450 APPARATUS FOR TWISTING AND PLYING STRANDSAlfred W. Vibber, 560 Riverside Drive, New York, N.Y. Filed June 22,1964, Ser. No. 376,820 18 Claims. (Cl. 57-583) This invention relates toan apparatus for twisting and/ or plying strands, and particularlyrelates to an apparatus for plying strands together by rotating onestrand about a source of supply of another strand, and plying thestrands together beyond such source of the other strand.

Reinforcing cord such as that employed in automobile tires, V-belts, andthe like usually consists of a plied strand in the form of two strandstwisted about each other but themselves having a relatively low twist.Such cord has been made in the past by twisting the two singles strandsseparately in the same direction, following which the twisted singlesstrands are doubled by being twisted together in the direction oppositethe direction of twist of the singles strands. Such method involvesthree separate twisting operations, and, when the twisted singlesstrands do not flow continuously to the doubling spindle, also involvesthe taking up and the paying out of twisted singles strands.

To reduce the number of operations involved in the making of such cord,as well as the number of twisting spindles required with their space andpower requirements, a number of different single spindle devices of theskip type have been proposed. In one of these types, such as shown inClarkson Patents Nos. 2,503,242 and 2,729,051, the two singles strandsare fed at substantially constant speed by separate constantly drivencapstans to a plying point from which they are withdrawn undersubstantially constant tension. In another type of plying spindle, thestrand to be ballooned enters the baloon through a storage disc, theouter ballooning strand being plied with an inner strand at a flotaingplying point near the apex of the balloon. In yet another type, such asshown in my prior Patent No. 2,857,730 and Clarkson Patent No.2,986,865, the singles strands are fed toward the plying point byseparate capstans driven at constant speed, and are withdrawn from theplying point at a variable speed, such speed being governed byvariations in the tension of the outer, ballooning strand.

The present invention, in some aspects thereof, represents animprovement upon applicants pending application Ser. No. 275,416, filedApril 24, 1963, now Patent No. 3,153,893, although it is obviously notconfined to use with the apparatus there shown, as will be pointed outbelow. The present invention is illustrated in connection withembodiments of twisting apparatus shown in such application Ser. No.275,416, which eliminate the need for a constant tension take-up of theplied strands, with its attendant complications and need for frequentmaintenance. At the same time, it gives much closer control of the pliedcord from the standpoint of uniformity than does plying apparatusemploying a floating plying point. Additionally, such apparatus takes upthe plied cord at constant speed, thereby producing cord of a highuniformity of twist.

In accordance with the present invention, the tension of the ballooningstrand is controlled, as in application Ser. No. 275,416, by varying theheight of the balloon. The balloon height is governed, in accordancewith the present invention, not by varying contact between an annular'member and the balloon, as in applicants said prior invention, but inresponse to variations in a tension-sensitive means engaging atravelling non-ballooning singles strand or plied strand forming partsof the strand system of the spindle. In the first two embodiments to bede- 3,286,450- Patented Nov. 22, 1966 scribed, the strand thus engagedis the outer singles strand, the tension-sensitive means engaging suchstrand between the constant speed feeding capstan for such strand andthe entering end of the balloon. In the third embodiment, thetension-sensitive means engages the plied strand or cord between theplying point and the constant speed takeup capstan for the cord.

The present invention has among its objects the provision of a novelmechanism for controlling the tension of the balloon of a twisting and/or plying spindle.

The invention has among its further objects the provision of a plyingspindle of the skip type employing such novel balloon control.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of such ballooncontrol in a spindle of the indicated type wherein the taking up of theplied strand from the plying point takes place at substantially constantspeed, whereby the desired number of twists per unit length of the pliedcord may be accurately maintained throughout the length of the cord.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of such ballooncontrol in a spindle of the skip type wherein correlation between thetensions in the two strands approaching the plying point is more easilyachieved, and wherein such tensions may both be readily adjusted, thetension in the balloon being adjustable in a novel manner.

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention willmore fully appear from the following description when the same is readin connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expresslyunderstood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose ofillustration only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits ofthe invention.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like partsthroughout the several views,

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a first embodiment ofa spindle for plying strands together to form a cord in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation on an enlarged scale of the balloonsize controlling mechanism employed in the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 4;

FIG. 3 is a simplified view in horizontal section of the balloon controldevice of FIGS. 1 and 2, the section being taken along the line 33 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a second embodiment oftwisting and plying spindle in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary somewhat schematic view in tilted plan of thecombined capstan employed in the apparatus of FIG. 4 which serves tofeed the outer singles strand toward the balloon at constant speed andthe plied cord away from the plying point at constant speed;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a third embodiment oftwisting and plying spindle in accordance with the present invention;and

FIG. 7 is a simplified view in plan of the balloon control deviceemployed in the apparatus of FIG. 6.

As will be apparent from the above, three embodiments of apparatus inaccordance with the invention are shown herein, the first embodimentbeing shown in FIGS. 1-3, inclusive, the second being shown in FIGS. 4and 5, and the third being shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The first twoembodiments employ the balloon control device more specifically shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. The third embodiment employs the balloon control deviceof FIG. 7. As will be more readily apparent below, the first embodimentdiffers from the two latter embodiments of apparatus, not only as to thespecific means employed to feed the outer, ballooned strand into theballoon and to withdraw the plied strand or cord from the plying point,but as to the manner of variation of the tension existing in theballooning strand upon changes in the diameter of the balloon, and as tothe role played by the plying point 'in conjunction with the ballooncontrol device in restoring the balloon to such diameter as to cause thestrand in the ballon to be under a desired predetermined tension. In thefirst two embodiments, the tension in the outer singles strand isemployed to adjust the height of the balloon. In the last embodiment,the tension in the plied strand or cord beyond the plying point isemployed to adjust the height of the balloon.

Turning now to FIG. 1, the plying spindle there shown is generallydesignated by the reference character 10. Spindle 10 has a verticallydisposed centrally hollow mam shaft 11 which is rotatably mounted in asuitable bearing in a housing 16 affixed to a supporting frame 12. Theshaft 11 is driven by a belt 14 entrained over a pulley 15 affixed toshaft 11, the belt being driven by a suitable power source such as anelectric motor, not shown. Supported on shaft 11 by a bearing containedin a housing 19 is a support 17 which is held from rotation by pairs ofcoacting lower and upper magnets 20 and 21 mounted on housings 16 and19, respectively.

A package support 22 is mounted on support 17, support 22 having meansfor holding a strand package 24 centrally thereon. Package 24, whichsupplies the inner strand 1), is surrounded by a cage-like guard 23, apart of which also functions to tension the strand b preliminarily inthe travel of such strand downwardly to a guide pulley 25 mounted onsupport 17. The spindle 10 as thus far described is generally similar tothat shown and described in Clarkson Patent No. 2,689,449.

The strand handling device 26 on support 17 of the present apparatus isan idle strand tensioning means which is preferably adjustable to varyits strand tensioning effect. The tension device 26 shown is generallysimilar to that shown in FIG. of the patent to Klein, No. 2,671,305,changed as to its orientation and the manner of feeding the strand intoand away from the tension device. It is to be understood that otherknown strand tensioningdevices may, if desired, be substituted for thetensioning device 26 here shown and described.

The strand b, after passing under guide pulley 25, travels to the right(FIG. I) initially to contact the righthand roller 27 at the bottomthereof, and then travels counterclockwise around the roller to contactthe lefthand roller 29 adjacent the bottom thereof. The strand thentravels clockwise around roller 29 and between such roller and anadjustably tensioned leaf spring 30 which has a curved free endoverlying and conforming to the curvature of the roller 29. As set forthin the above Klein patent, the ends of the shafts mounting rollers 27and 29 are supported in guideways (not here shown) which lie generallyparallel to the direction of the runs of the strand approaching roller27 and leaving roller 29, the tension in the strand and the forceexerted on the roller 29 through strand b by the leaf spring 30 causingthe strand to be nipped forcibly between the rollers. The leaf spring 30is secured at its upper end to support 17; the spring is adjustablythrust toward roller 29 by a set screw threaded into a bracket affixedto support 17.

From the top of roller 29 the strand b travels to the right to a rollguide set 31, and thence progresses to a canted fixedly journalled guideroll 32 which directs it downwardly centrally into the open upper end ofthe hollow shaft 11 of the spindle. Strand b is pulled downwardlythrough the bore in shaft 11 to meet and be plied with a second strand aat a plying point X within the shaft.

The strand a is supplied by an outer strand package 34 mounted on afixed package support having a central package guide 35. From package34, after being preliminarily tensioned by means not shown, the strand aproceeds to a capstan set 36 which feeds it forward at structed anddriven in the same manner as the capstan for feeding the strand theredesignated b in FIG. 8 of Clarkson Patent No. 2,729,051. Capstan set 36of the present apparatus has two vertically spaced rollers 37, 39, bothdriven in synchronism with shaft 11, the lower roller 39 being tipped ata small angle, as shown. Strand a travels about rollers 37, 39 aplurality of times in laterally spaced wraps, passing between roll 37and a spring pressed idle roll 40, and then leaves the capstan set atthe bottom of roller 39 to travel about a fixedly mounted guide pulley41. From pulley 41 the strand proceeds upwardly to a further fixedlymounted guide pulley 42 which is mounted on a cross arm 44 secured to afixed standard 45 rising from frame 12. From pulley 42 the strandtravels to a further pulley 46, journalled on cross arm 44, which formsa part of a balloon control device 49 in accordance with the invention,from which it proceeds downwardly to an apex guide for the balloon 50formed in strand a by the spindle. The apex guide is here shown as beinga part of the balloon control device 49, to be described. Such device 49includes means for sensing changes in the tension in the strand aapproaching the balloon, and means responsive to the first named meansfor changing the size of the balloon.

The strand a travels from pulley 46 to an adjustable guide means 47, tobe described, to a vertically adjustable guide 65 which is a part of theballoon control device 49, and thus into the balloon 50 formed in thestrand by a fiyer disc 51 fixedly secured to shaft 11. Disc 50 has astrand guiding eye adjacent its edge, the strand passing through sucheye and thence generally radially and somewhat downwardly beneath thefiyer disc into an opening in the side of shaft 11, in a manner similarto that shown in FIG. 6 of Clarkson Patent No. 2,729,051. Within thebore in shaft 11 generally below the radial passage through the sidewallthereof there is aflixed a cord forming die (not shown) within whichequal lengths of the strands a and b are wrapped about each other at theplying point X. After leaving the plying point, the now formed cord 0travels downwardly through the bore in shaft 11, out the bottom endthereof, and downwardly to a fixedly mounted guide pulley 52.

From pulley 52 the cord 0 travels upwardly to a second capstan set 54which is similar to the above described capstan set 36. The opposedvertically spaced rolls 55, 56 of such capstan set are driven at aconstant speed from and synchronized with the shaft 11. The cord passesaround rolls 55, 56 a plurality of times in laterally spaced wraps,being nipped between roll 55 and an idle roll 57 which is spring pressedtoward roll 55. From the capstan set 54 the cord 0 travels downwardly atsubstantially constant speed to a take-up bobbin 59 which isfrictionally rim-driven by one or both of its supporting rolls 60.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the construction of the balloon apex guiding andballoon control mechanism 49 is shown in detail. A nut 61 is mounted ina vertical opening adjacent the outer end of arm 44 and is retainedtherein by a set screw 58, as shown. An elongated, externally threaded,hollow spindle 62 is rotatably mounted in nut 61, the bore 63 in suchspindle receiving the strand a as it passed downwardly from theadjust-able guiding pulley into the ballon 50. The lower end of thespindle 62 has a radially outwardly extending flange 64 integraltherewith, and a vertically rounded annular portion 65 inwardly thereofat the bottom of bore 63, the most constricted zone of portion 65forming an annular guide for the apex of balloon 50.

Rising above the main body of nut 61 and integral therewith is a shortsleeve formed as the inner race of a ball bearing 151. The pulley 46 hasa downwardly open annular groove therein which receives the bearing, theouter race 152 of the bearing being afiixed to the radially outer wallof the groove in the pulley. The pulley 46 is thus mounted for rotationabove and close to the top of overarm 44. The balloon control device 49includes means which drivingly connects the pulley 46 to the spindle 62for joint rotation while permitting vertical adjustment of the spindleas it turns with respect to the nut 61.

For this purpose, the outer surface of spindle 62 is provided with aplurality of axially extending grooves 154, which may be of squaresection, for example, such grooves being angularly spacedabout the axisof the spindle. The hub 155 of pulley 46 inwardly of the bearing 151 isprovided with radially inwardly projecting lands 156 complementary to anaccurately but slidingly interfitting with the grooves 154 in thespindle 62. Turning of the pulley 46 in reverse directions thus causesthe spindle 62 and the balloon apex guide 65 carried thereby to rise andfall, respectively.

The strand a upon leaving pulley 42 passes into contact with thesmoothly concave periphery 157 of pulley 46, travels partially aroundsuch pulley through an angle on (FIG. 3), and leaves pulley 46 in ahorizontal run 159 extending to a canted idle guide pulley 160. Frompulley 160 the strand a travels upwardly in a run 162 toward the axis ofspindle 62 to travel partially about a further idle guide pulley 164which has its guiding surface on its exit side lying on the axis ofspindle 62. From pulley 164 the strand a travels downwardly in avertical run 165 into the top of the bore 63 in the spindle.

The strand a tends to turn the pulley 46 and the spindle 62 drivinglyconnected thereto in the direction of travel of the strand. The hand ofthe threads in nut 61 and on spindle 62 is such that rotation of suchelements in the direction of travel of the strand a causes a lowering ofthe spindle 62 with a consequent decrease in height of the balloon 50.The torque imposed upon spindle 62 through pulley 46 by the strand a. isopposed by a coil torque spring 71 which is disposed about the spindle62 below nut 61, the spring having a lower tang 72 affixed to nut 69and, in the embodiment shown, an upper tang 74 affixed to arm 44 as by aset screw or stud 75. If desired, in an unillustrated modifiedembodiment, the torque imposed by spring 71 upon spindle 62 may beadjusted during operation of the spindle by providing an annular memberto which tang 74, suitably extended, is secured, such annular memberbeing rotatably mounted on arm 44 and adjustable about its axis in orderthus to adjust the spring.

During stable operation of the apparatus, the pulley 46 and spindle 62are at rest, the torque imposed upon the pulley by strand a beingbalanced by the torque of spring 71. When the tension in strand aincreases, the strand turns the pulley 46 to lower the apex guide 65until the strand tension decreases sufficiently for the torque of spring71 to balance the torque imposed on pulley 46 by the strand. When thetension in strand a decreases, the spring 71 turns the spindle -62 toraise the apex guide 65 sufficiently to restore a balance between thetorque of the spring and the torque imposed on the pulley 46 by thestrand a.

As is well known, the torque imposed upon a pulley by a strand slippingthereabout increases very rapidly with an increase in the angle 00 ofcontact or lap about the axis of the pulley. This permits the readyadjustment of the balloon control device, as by means now to bedescribed, to adapt it for operation with different strand materialshaving different coefficients of friction.

The balloon control device shown permits the adjustment of the angle afrom a small one (actually zero) to one close to 360. Such adjustment,taken with the above described adjustment of the degree of winding ofthe spring 71, permits the same apparatus to be used for the processingof a wide variety of materials.

In the embodiment shown, the canted lower idle guide pulley 160 and theupper guide pulley 164 are mounted upon an upwardly and inwardlyextending member 161 which depends from an upper overarm 166 afiixed tostandard 45. To the upper end of member 161 there is attached a plate167, which may be circular in plan, which serve-s as a bearing and guidefor member 161 with respect to overarm 166. Rising centrally of plate167 and secured thereto is a stud 169 which extends through a hole 170in overarm 166. A nut 171 on the stud acting through a spring washer 172secures the element 161, 167 and the guide pulleys and 164 carriedthereby in angularly adjusted position about the axis of spindle 62,whereby the angle a of the lap of strand a about pulley 46 may beadjusted as desired.

It will be seen that, regardless of the adjustment of element 161, 167and thus of the angle a, the strand :1 remains tight in the portionthereof from its feeding capstan 37, 39, to and partially around pulley46, and thence to the apex guide 65 for the balloon. In fact, the onlysalient run of strand held under resilient yielding force in the entireapparatus is the balloon itself. The described ballon control devicedoes not require any change in the length of the strand a betweencapstan 37, 39 in its detection of tension variations in such strand,nor does it cause any variation in such length of strand in functioningto adjust the height of the balloon in response to tension variations inthe strand a. Thus the balloon control device introduces no variablesinto the system which would cause it to become unstable.

In the above-described apparatus, the balloon 50 is of the type having asingle bulge. The maximum diameter of the balloon lies above the flyer51, and usually somewhat below the mid-point of the distance between thefiyer and the apex guide. With such balloon, with a constant weight .perunit length of the ballooning strand, the tension in the ballooningstrand decreases as the diameter of the balloon increases. The tensionin the inner strand remains substantially constant. Under suchconditions, the plying point X serves as a compensator to restore theballoon to a desired diameter should it deviate appreciably therefrom.Thus, when the balloon increases in diameter from such desired diameter,the inner strand b tends to become the core at the plying point, agreater length of strand a,,than of strand b is absorbed into the pliedcord in a given time, and the balloon diameter is thus decreased. Thereverse action takes place when the balloon diameter becomes less thanthe desired diameter. Under such conditions, the action of the plyingpoint X far overshadows the action of the adjustable apex guide, whichacts in the opposite direction but has an eifect which is insufiicientto affect the overall stability of the system. Thus under the constantunit weight conditions described, the tension variations in strand a areinsufficient to cause much vertical adjustment of the apex guide 65.

When the unit weight of the outer ballooning strand varies appreciably,however, particular-1y if such weight increases, the plying point Xceases to be effective as a compensator to restore the balloon to thepredetermined desired diameter; in fact, the plying point then functionsto make the system unstable. Thus, assuming a substantial increase inunit weight of the ballooning strand a, the tension in the ballon 50increases when balloon diameter increases due to the great increase inthe effect of centrifugal force upon the strand tension. Because thetension of the outer ballooning strand a now exceeds the tension in theinner strand b, which remains substantially constant, the outer,ballooned strand tends to become the core of the plied strand at theplying point, thereby causing less of the outer strand to be absorbedinto the plied cord, and causing the balloon to increase still more indiameter.

The balloon control 49 functions to control the balloon under conditionsof appreciable variation in weight per unit length of the ballooningstrand under which the plying point X by itself inherently createsconditions of unstability in the system. The automatic balloon controldevice 49 shown herein functions in coordination with the plying pointto correct variations in balloon diameter caused or accompanied byvariations in the unit weight of the ballooning strand. It accomplishessuch latter result by decreasing the height of the balloon when thetension in the balloon increases from a predetermined desired value, andby increasing the height of the balloon when the tension in the balloondecreases from such predetermined desired value. The tension of thestrand a is thus decreased and increased, respectively, so that theplying point X may then function to cause more and less, respectively,of the ballooning strand a to be absorbed into the plied cord c. As aresult, the diameter of the balloon is restored to the predetermineddesired value.

' The stability of an adjustable apex guide in the embodiment of FIGS.1, 2, and 3 thereof can be improved somewhat under conditions of uniformweight per unit length of the ballooning strand, while enhancing itsstability under conditions of increased weight per unit length of suchstrand, by making the apex guide 65 with a configuration similar to thatof FIG. 7 of each of applicants applications Ser. No. 261,704, filedDecember 14, 1951, now abandoned, and Ser. No. 4,973, filed January 27,1960, now Patent No. 3,192,698. In each of such applications there isshown and described a vertically adjustable eye 534 for a balloon havinga central guide at the apex of the ballooning yarn and a flared lowerportion having an annular inner surface positioned to be brushed againstby an intermediate portion of the ballooning yarn. Alternatively, thestructure of the adjustable guide device 49 herein may be preserved,there being added thereto a bell similar to that designated 219 inClarkson Patent No. 2,689,449, such bell being fixedly connected to thelower end of spindle 62 herein coaxial of the spindle. For the presentpurposes, such bell may have a size which is appreciably smaller indiameter and height than the Clarkson bell 219.

With either of such two alternative constructions described immediatelyabove, the apparatus of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 herein functions as follows:

With a ballooning strand a of constant weight per unit length: When theballoon expands from its desired diameter, the tension thereof decreasesand (a) the lessened force of engagement between the strand a and thepulley 46 causes spring 71 to tend to cause spindle 62 to rotate toraise such spindle and the guide eye 65 therein, but (b) the increase indiameter of the balloon causes the ballooning strand a to engage theannular member beneath the apex guide more forcibly, thus tending toturn spindle 62 against the action of the spring 71, and thus tending tolower the spindle. Tendencies which are the reverse of (a) and (b),respectively, are present under such condition of constant weight perunit length of strand a upon a decrease in diameter of the balloon. Witha proper choice of sizes and values of components, the opposing forcesunder (a) and (b) may be made substantially to cancel each other undernormal operating conditions, so that the spindle 62 and guide 65 remainsubstantially fixed, the plying point X acting, as above described, to

compensate automatically for changes in balloon diameter.

With an increase in weight per unit length of strand a sufficient tocause the tension in strand a to increase upon an increase in diameterof the balloon: Upon such increase in balloon diameter, (c) theincreased force of engagement between the strand a and the pulley 46tends to rotate spindle 62 against the action of spring 71 to lowerspindle 62 and guide 65, and (d) the increased force of engagementbetween the ballooning strand a and the annular member beneath the apexguide tends to .rotate spindle 62 against the action of spring 71 tolower spindle 62 and guide 65. The forces under (c) and (d) .are thusadditive, both functioning to decrease the height of the balloon andthus to decrease the tension of strand a to permit more of strand a tobe absorbed into the plied cord at plying point X. Tendencies which arethe reverse of (c) and (d), respectively, are present under such con- 8dition of increasd weight per unit length of strand a upon a decrease indiameter of the balloon, the forces under both (c) and (d) then alsobeing additive but acting to permit spring 71 to rotate spindle 62 toraise it and guide 65 to restore the tension of strand a in the balloonto the desired value.

In the embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the spindleis generally designated by the reference character 78. Such spindle issupported on a frame 79 having a horizontal enclosure portion 80 withinwhich is contained driving mechanism for the hollow main vertical shaft81 of the spindle which is rotatably mounted in a bearing housing 82secured to enclosed portion 80. Nonrotatably mounted on shaft 81 is afixed support 84 upon which a package support 85 is mounted in turn. Aninner strand package 86 on support 85 supplies an inner strand b. Strandb is paid off package 86, travels upward and then across the top of thepackage as indicated in dash lines in FIG. 4, and then .proceedsdownwardly to pass through a pre-tensioner 87 of the spring pressedwasher type. From pre-tensioner 87, the strand b passes to a tensioningdevice 89 which is similar to the device 26 of the first disclosedembodiment. Strand b passes counter-clockwise about roller 90 of device89, then clockwise around roller 91 thereof and between such roller andan adjustable leaf spring 92. From roller 91 the strand b travelssuccessively about guides 94 and 95 to pass about a canted central guideroller 96 and thence centrally down into the bore of the hollow mainshaft 81 of the spindle.

The outer, ballooned strand a is fed to spindle 78, in a direction fromright to left, as from a multiple end beam as in Clarkson Patent No.2,986,865. Strand a passes through a fixed guide 97 on the frame of thespindle, to a further fixed guide 99, and thence upwardly and to theright to a first, singles feeding portion of a combined capstan devicegenerally designated 100. The construction and manner of operation ofcapstan 100 are illustrated most clearly in FIG. 5. Projecting forwardlyfrom housing 80 is a horizontal shaft 101 which is driven in synchronismwith and by the main shaft 81 of the spindle 81 by means such as gearsnot shown. Secured to shaft 101 is a stepped roller having a larger,forward circular cylindrical portion 102. Mounted on a bearing on afixed, undriven stub shaft 105 projecting forwardly from housing 80 at apoint spaced from shaft 101 is an idle roller 104. The outer strand arises from guide 99 to pass clockwise over driven roller 102, passesover idle roller 104, and then repeatedly passes around such rollers inspaced runs, finally leaving roller 102 to ass to the right under afixed roller guide 109, up partially about a fixed roller guide 110,thence to a roller guide 111 on a cross arm 112 on standard 115, andfinally to an apex guide and balloon control device 49' which has thesame construction and function as the device designated by the samereference character in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. Parts of such balloon controldevice 49' and its support are designated by the same referencecharacters as in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 but with added primes.

The described portion of the composite capstan 100 is provided with anidle presser roller 106 mounted on a lever 107 which is spring pressedto nip the runs of strand a between it and roller 102. The strand a isthus forwarded at substantially constant speed to the device 49 andthence into the balloon which in this instance has an upper portion 113and a lower portion 114.

The balloon is generated by a flyer disc 116 which is fixed to shaft 81of the spindle to rotate therewith. The

strand a passes through an eye 118 in the outer edge of disc 116, andthence generally radially inwardly to pass into an opening through thewall of shaft 81 to a cord forming die at the plying point X, whereequal lengths of strands a and b are wrapped about each other to formcord c.

From the plying point X the cord c passes down through the lower end ofthe hollow main shaft 81 and thence downwardly to a fixedly mountedguide roller 117. From roller 117 cord rises to pass over the inner,smaller diametered circular cylindrical portion 119 of the steppedroller affixed to driven shaft 101. The cord c then passes over an inneridle guide roller 120 rotatably mounted on shaft 105. Roller 120 isseparate from and rotates independently of roller 104. After passing inmultiple spaced runs about rollers 119 and 120, the cord 0 leaves thecapstan by passing downwardly partially around roller 120 to a fixedguide 124 and a movable guide 125 which is traversed by means not shownto lay the cord upon a bobbin 126 which is frictionaly rim driven by apair of rollers upon which it rests. One such driving roller, designated127, is shown in FIG. 3 driven by means generally designated 129.

The portion of the capstan 100 which forwards cord 0 from the playingpoint X does so at substantially constant speed. Slippage of the cord onroller 119 is minimized by an idle presser roller 121, which is separatefrom and independent of presser roller 106. Roller 121 is mounted on alever 122 which is spring pressed to urge the roller 121 forciblyagainst the portions of the cord lying between rollers 119 and 121.

The spindle 78 is provided with an auxiliary idle flyer 130 having anarm 131 with a guiding eye 132 therein through which the strand a of theballoon passes. Flyer 130 has an arm 134 extending oppositely from arm131 for the purpose of counterbalancing the flyer. The bearing 135 forthe flyer 130 is mounted on the removable lid 136 of an enclosure 137disposed about package 86 and supported on the non-rotatable member 84on shaft 81.

As shown, the eye 132 of the auxiliary flyer 130 lies outwardly of theshaft 81 of the spindle 78 at a radial distance which somewhat exceedsthat of the eye 118 through the flyer disc 116. The upper portion 113 ofthe balloon thus always lies in the first quadrant, that is, the stranda always enters the eye 132 of the auxiliary flyer at an angle which isless than 90, measured inwardly toward the axis of the flyer, betweenthe plane of rotation of the flyer and a normal thereto at eye 132. Ithas been found that the use of the auxiliary flyer 130 permits the useof a higher tension of strand a in the balloon and a higher speed ofrotation of the spindle shaft 81 than would be permissible without it,and that the auxiliary flyer assures the maintenance of portion 114 ofthe balloon free from contact with any fixed structure such as the lid136 or the body 137 of the guard about package 86.

With the system of FIGS. 4 and 5, the tension conditions are somewhatdifferent from those existing in the system of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Theauxiliary flyer 130 acts in effect to create and maintain a shortballoon 113 between it and the apex guide of device 49, the tension insuch short balloon apparently being the primary determining factor as tothe tension existing in the entire revolving loop 113, 114 whichconsists of the short ballon 113 and the length of rotating strand inthe balloon portion 114 between the auxiliary flyer and the driven flyerdisc 116. Such length of strand in balloon portion 114 serves primarilyto drive the auxiliary flyer; in any event, the tension variationscaused by variations in the length of strand in portion 114 of theballoon are additive to those of the short balloon 113.

The short balloon 113 is a single balloon which spins above the bulge,that is, the ballon 113 has no true maximum diameter at all because suchbulge is situated in the imaginary continuation of the short balloon 113below the auxiliary flyer 130. In such short balloon 113 the -yarntension is high, and an increase in the diameter of the short balloon113 results in a greater yarn tension. See pages 20 and 21 of BalloonControl by Grishin, revised and reprinted by T.M.M. (Research) Limited,from Platts, Bulletin, copyright 1956, by Platt Bros. (Sales) Limited,Oldham, England.

In the system of FIGS. 4 and 5, the plying point X never is, by itself,a compensator for variations in balloon diameter. The use of theauxiliary flyer thus requires for all conditions of operation of theapparatus, that is, with yarn of uniform or yarn of varying unit weight,a balloon compensator which responds to variations in balloon diameter.This follows from the fact that with an increase in the diameter of theballon, the tension in the strand a increases, whether the weight perunit length of the strand remains constant or increases. Thus, theplying point per se cannot function to restore the balloon to thediameter at which the balloon has the desired tension equalling thatimposed upon strand b as it approaches the plying point.

The plying point X, however, acting in conjunction with the ballooncontrol device 49, maintains the balloon 113, 114 under stable control.Thus, upon an increase in diameter of the ballon, regardless of thecause, the device 49 acts to decrease the height of balloon portion 113,and thus to decrease the tension in strand a as it approaches the plyingpoint. Upon such decrease of tension in strand a, the plying pointfunctions to cause strand a to be absorbed into the cord 0 at a greaterrate, thereby decreasing the diameter of the balloon 113, 114 to apredetermined desired value. When the diameter of the ballon 113, 114decreases unduly, the control device 49 acts to increase the height ofthe balloon portion 113, whereby the plying point X then functions tocause strand a to be absorbed into the cord 0 at a slower rate, therebyincreasing the diameter of the balloon 113, 114 to a predetermineddesired value.

The third embodiment of cord forming apparatus in accordance with theinvention is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Such apparatus, which is generallydesignated by the reference character 78', has the same construction asthat of FIGS. 4 and 5; accordingly, the parts of the apparatus in FIGS.6 and 7 which are the same as those of FIGS. 4 and 5 are designated bythe same reference characters and need not be further described. Asabove noted, the apparatus of FIGS. 6 and 7 differs from that of FIGS. 4and 5 in the manner of control of the height of the apex guide for theballoon.

The outer singles strand a, in this instance, is fed directly into theballoon, passing from guide roller upwardly to a further guide rollersupported on a second, upper overarm 181 secured to standard 115. Fromroller 180 the strand a travels to a guide roller 182 on arm 181, theroller 182 being positioned to present the strand a in a vertical runalong the axis of the balloon 113, 114. The strand a travels downwardlyfrom roller 182 through the bore in spindle 62" of a balloon controldevice 49", through an apex guide 65", and into the balloon.

The balloon control device 49" is of the same construction as thepreviously described devices 49 and 49, with the exception of the meansfor varying the angle of lap of strand (in this instance cord 0) aboutpulley 46". Accordingly, only the parts which are new in device 49" needbe described here.

The cord c, upon issuing from the lower end of the hollow main shaft ofthe spindle, travels downwardly to an idle guide pulley 184 supported onthe frame of the apparatus, thence laterally to a further guide pulley185, upwardly in run 188 to a guide pulley 186, and laterally in run 187to pulley 46 of the balloon control device 49". The pulleys 185 and 186are mounted on fixed supporting structure, shown only generally. Afterpassing partially about pulley 46", the cord 0 travels in a run 189 to aguide pulley 190, and thence in a run 191 to a guide pulley 192 mountedon fixed structure, as shown. Then in a vertical run 194 (FIG. 6) whichis angularly displaced from run 188, the cord 0 is brought downwardly toa fixedly mounted rotatable pulley 195, and laterally to a similarpulley 196 which presents it above pulley 117. From pulley 117 the cordtravels to capstan 100 which takes it up at constant speed and forwardsit to the take-up package or bobbin 126.

To vary the angle of lap of cord about pulley 46", the guide pulley 190may be adjustably mounted on overarm 181 as shown. Thus the free end ofthe overarm is enlarged in plan to present a horizontal plate-like endportion 197. The portion 197 is slotted at 199 in an arc coaxial withthe spindle 62 of the device 49". The guide roller 190 may be mounted ona vertical stud shaft for rotation thereabout, the lower end of suchbeing provided with a fixed collar which rests upon the upper surface ofplate 197 on each side of slot 199. The lower end of such shaft may bethreaded, a washer and nut on the shaft underlying the plate 197 on eachside of slot 199. Such construction, which is conventional, is notspecifically illustrated.

The hand of the thread on spindle 62" and on the nut of the ballooncontrol device 49" in which the spindle is threadedly mounted is suchthat turning of the spindle 62" by the spring 71" raises the spindle toincrease the height of the balloon, and turning of the spindle by theaction of cord c upon pulley 46 lowers the spindle. The tension of thecord 0 passing partially around pulley 46" is essentially the sum of thetension in the balloon and the tension imposed upon the inner singlesstrand b by the constant tension device 89. Thus the tension in the cordc varies in proportion to and in the same direction as the tension ofthe ballooned singles strand a.

With suitable adjustment of the angle of lap of the cord 0 about pulley46" and of the winding of spring 71", when the balloon 113, 114 is ofthe correct diameter, the cord will slide over the pulley withoutturning it, the spring 71" balancing the torque imposed on the pulley bythe cord. When the diameter of the balloon increases, the tension instrand a increases, as does that in cord 0. Thereupon the cord turnspulley 46" to lower the apex guide65; this decreases the tension instrand a so that the plying point X can then act to restore the balloon113, 114 to the predetermined desired diameter. The reverse action takesplace upon a decrease in balloon diameter, the consequent decrease intension in cord 0 permitting the spring 71" to raise the apex guide.This increases balloon tension, and thus permits the plying point torestore the balloon to its predetermined desired diameter.

It will be understood that the novel balloon control device of theinvention may be used to advantage in a number of manners other thanthose shown. Thus the device may be employed, for example, in place ofthe balloon control device there shown in the system of Clarkson PatentNo. 2,729,051, wherein both the inner and outer strands are forwarded atconstant speed to the plying point by driven capstans. The ballooncontrol device of the invention may also be used advantageously withuptwisters and downtwisters generally, either of the 1 x 1 or 2 x 1type, the device governing the height of the balloon to maintain thetension of the ballooning strand within desired limits.

In the embodiments of apparatus specifically shown herein, the rotatabletension sensitive pulley over which the singles strand entering theballoon or the plied cord runs is at rest when the apparatus isoperating stably with the apex guide at a given height. In accordancewith and within the scope of the present invention, however, there maybe provided a balloon control generally in accordance with that of theabove specifically illustrated and described embodiments but modified sothat the balloon apex guide and the pulley which is drivingly connectedto it rotates at a speed which is only slightly different from thatcorrespondying to the speed of the singles strand (first two describedembodiments) or the plied cord (last described embodiment) passingpartially around the driving pulley for the apex guide.

Taking the balloon control of FIG. 4 as an example, such embodiment ismodified as follows to produce such modified, rotating apex control. Thespindle of FIG. 4 remains generally unchanged (as do those of FIGS. 1

12 and 6 if the second and third illustrated embodiments are to besimilarly modified), with the exception of the manner of mounting theauxiliary flyer, to be described.

Referring to FIG. 2, the modified, rotating apex balloon control is madeby mounting the nut 61 in an anti-friction bearing, such as a ballbearing, in fixed arm 44. The inner race of such bearing is fixedlyconnected to the nut 61, or itself serves as the nut. The upper tang 74of spring 71 is fixedly connected to the inner race and/or nut 61 androtates therewith. The inner race or nut 61 is driven at a constantspeed as by being connected by suitable gearing to a shaft driven by andin synchronism with the main shaft 11 of the spindle. Alternatively, theinner race of the bearing and/or the nut 61 is driven by a synchronouselectric motor, or by the strand of the balloon itself. Such driving ofnut 61 may be accomplished in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 2of Klein Patent No. 3,066,472, the arm of the device which correspondsgenerally to arm 37 of Klein being driven by the balloon and beingjournalled on a suitable bearing on fixed supporting arm 44. Such arm isheld at the same height as, and performs the further function of, theauxiliary flyer 130, which it replaces in the apparatus of the presentFIG. 4. Such balloon driven radial arm functioning as an auxiliary flyeris connected by suitable reduction gearing, such as serially connectedpinions and larger gears, mounted on arm 44 to drive the inner raceand/or nut 61 at the desired lower speed synchronized with the speed ofrotation of the balloon.

The pulley corresponding to pulley 46 of balloon control device 49' ofFIG. 4 is replaced by a similar pulley having a circumference at itsinner, strand receiving periperal surface such that, when the spindle 62of the balloon apex guide is driven as described and the strand engagingpulley is free of contact with strand a, the peripheral speed of suchsurface is somewhat less than the desired speed of travel of such strandinto the balloon. When the strand a engages such pulley, it tends todrive the pulley, and thus screws the spindle 62 and the apex guidethereon down in the rotating nut 61, thereby winding up spring 71. Withthe proper choice of diameter of the strand engaging pulley which isdrivingly connected to spindle 62, of the torque characteristics andinitial adjustment of the spring 71, and of the angle a of engagementbetween the strand a and the pulley, under stable operating conditionsthe apex guide remains at a given height, the strand a then travelingsomewhat faster than the surface of the pulley and thus slipping thereonto some extent.

Should the balloon 113, 114 increase in diameter, and thus the tensionin strand a increase, the strand will engage the pulley more forciblyand thus momentarily drive it at a faster rate to screw spindle 62 andthe balloon apex guide down until it reaches a new, temporarily stableposition. This restores the balloon to its optimum diameter, as with theapparatus of FIG. 4. If the balloon should decrease in diameter from itsoptimum size, and thus the tesion in strand a decrease, the strand willengage the pulley less forcibly and thus permit spring 71 to raisespindle 62 and the balloon apex guide to a new, temporarily stableposition. This also restores the balloon to its optimum diameter, in thesame manner as with the apparatus of FIG. 4.

Although only a limited number of embodiments of the invention have beenillustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoingspecification, it is to be especially understood that various changes,such as in the relative dimensions of the parts, materials used, and thelike, as well as the suggested manner of use of the apparatus of theinvention, may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as will now be apparent to those skilled in theart.

What is claimed is:

1. In strand twisting apparatus, means for rotating a running strand inthe form of a balloon and for pulling the strand forward, means forguiding the apex end of the balloon comprising a strand guiding meanspositioned coaxially of the balloon adjacent the apex end thereof,adjustable means supporting the apex guide for movement axially of theballoon to vary the height of the apex guide for the balloon, andmechanism for controlling the last named means comprising rotatabletension sensitive means disposed to be engaged and turned in onedirection by frictional engagement with a run of the strand spaced fromand in tension transmitting relation with the balloon, means yieldinglyurging the tension sensitive means to rotate in the opposite direction,and means responsive to rotation of the tension sensitive means toaxially adjust said supporting means for the apex guide.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for adjusting themeans for supporting the apex guide is such, and the tension sensitivemeans so controls said adjusting means that travel of the surface of thetension sensitive means in the direction of travel of the strand inengagement therewith urges the said apex guide support in the axialdirection to decrease the height of the balloon.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjusting means for theapex guide supporting means comprises two threadedly engaged threadedmeans, one of said threaded means beingconnected to the apex guidesupporting means so as to travel with such supporting means in theadjustment of the latter, the other of the threaded means being fixedfrom travel with the said supporting means.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said other of thethreaded means is fixed against rotation.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, comprising means mounting the saidother of the threaded means for rotation, and means for rotating thesaid other threaded means at a constant speed.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, comprising means mounting the apexguide for rotation about its axis, means drivingly connecting the apexguide to the tension responsive means so that the guide and such tensionresponsive means rotate in synchronism, and an annular member connectedcoaxially of the apex guide to rotate therewith, said annular memberhaving a surface adapted to be brushed against by an intermediateportion of the ballooning strand.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the means for rotating theballoon is a flyer, the flyer and apex guide for the balloon being sospaced axially of the balloon that the flyer engages the balloonsubstantially further from the apex guide than the maximum diameter ofthe balloon, whereby under conditions of substantially uniform weightper unit length of the ballooning strand the tension of the ballooningstrand decreases upon an increase in diameter of the balloon andincreases upon a decrease in diameter of the balloon.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, where-in the means supporting theapex guide is a hollow member having a passage therethrough andpositioned coaxially of the balloon adjacent the apex end thereof, theballooned strand passing through the passage in the hollow member, andthe apex guide is an annular surface on the wall of the passage throughthe hollow member.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the hollow member is ashaft, one of said threaded means is a thread on the shaft extendinglongitudinally thereof, and the other of said threaded means is a nutthreadedly engaging the thread on the shaft.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tension responsivemeans is a body of revolution, and comprising means for guiding said runof the strand exteriorly of the balloon in a tight salient run partiallyabout and in frictional contact with the peripheral surface of the bodyof revolution in a plane generally transverse to the axis of such bodyof revolution.

11. Apparatus for plying two singles strands together to form a pliedstrand by the ply wrapping process, said two singles strands and theplied strand forming a strand system, comprising a source of supply of afirstsingles strand, means for feeding the first singles strand forwardfrom its source of supply to a plying point, a source of supply of asecond singles strand, means for feeding the second singles strandforward from its source of supply, for forming a balloon in the thus fedsecond singles strand about the source of the second singles strand, andfor feeding the second singles strand from the balloon to the plyingpoint, means for pulling the plied strand from the plying point, andmeans for controlling the tension of the second singles strand in theballoon, said last named means including an apex guide for the balloonpositioned coaxially of the balloon adjacent the apex end thereof,rotatable adjusting means supporting the apex guide for movement axiallyof the balloon to vary the height of the balloon, and mechanism forcontrolling the last named means comprising rotatable tension responsivemeans drivingly connected to the rotatable adjusting means and disposedto be engaged by and turned in one direction by a run of one strand ofthe system which is in tension transmitting relation with but exteriorlyof and spaced from the balloon, and resilient means connected to thesaid tension responsive means yieldingly urging the tension responsivemeans to rotate in the opposite direction.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the tension responsivemeans is disposed between the balloon and the feeding means for the runof the one of the strands which engages the tension responsive means.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the feeding means for thesaid one strand which engages the tension responsive means feeds suchstrand at constant speed, and the run of said one strand extending fromsaid feeding means to the balloon is tight and in tension transmittingrelationship with the balloon.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, comprising means for subjectingthe run of the first singles strand extending to the plying point toconstant tension.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the strand which isengaged by the tension responsive means is the plied strand, and thetension responsive means engages the plied strand between the plyingpoint and the feeding means for the plied strand.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the strand which isengaged by the tension responsive means is the second singles strand,and the tension responsive means engages the second singles strandbetween the feeding means for the second singles strand and the balloon.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein both the means for feedingthe second singles strand toward the balloon and the means for feedingthe plied strand from the plying point feed the respective strands atconstant speed.

18. In strand twisting apparatus, means for rotating a running strand inthe form of a balloon, means for pulling the strand forward, means forguiding the apex end of the balloon comprising a strand guiding meanspositioned coaxially of the balloon adjacent the apex end thereof, meanssupporting the apex guide, means supporting the means for rotating theballoon, means to adjust at least one of the last two named meansaxially of the balloon to vary the height of the balloon, and mechanismfor controlling the last named means comprising rotatable tensionresponsive means disposed to be engaged and turned in one direction by arun of the strand spaced from and in tension transmitting relation withthe balloon, means connected to the tension responsive means yieldinglyurging the tension responsive means to rotate in the opposite direction,and means drivingly connecting the tension responsive means to the meansfor adjusting the height of the balloon to decrease the height of theballoon upon the turning of the tension responsive means in onedirection and to increase the height of the balloon upon the 15 16turning of the tension responsive means in its other di- 2,871,648 2/1959 Vibber 5 75 8.83 rection. 3,153,893 10/1964 Vibber 57-583References Cited by the Examiner 3,192,698 7/ 1965 Vibber 575 8.83

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,736,160 2/ 1956 Vibber 575 8.3 D. WATKINS,Assistant Examiner.

1. IN STRAND TWISTING APPARATUS, MEANS FOR ROTATING A RUNNING STRAND INTHE FORM OF A BALLOON AND FOR PULLING THE STRAND FORWARD, MEANS FORGUIDING THE APEX END OF THE BALLOON COMPRISING A STRAND GUIDING MEANSPOSITIONED COAXIALLY OF THE BALLOON ADJACENT THE APEX END THEREOF,ADJUSTABLE MEANS SUPPORTING THE APEX GUIDE FOR MOVEMENT AXIALLY OF THEBALLOON TO VARY THE HEIGHT OF THE APEX GUIDE FOR THE BALLOON, ANDMECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING THE LAST NAMED MEANS COMPRISING ROTATABLETENSION SENSITIVE MEANS DISPOSED TO BE ENGAGED AND TURNED ON ONEDIRECTION BY FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH A RUN OF THE STRAND SPACED FROMAND IN TENSION TRANSMITTING RELATION WITH THE BALLOON, MEANS YIELDINGLYURGING THE TENSION SENSITIVE MEANS TO ROTATE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION,AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO